Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection which is usually spread through partaking in unprotected sex, including oral, anal and vaginal, as well as from the sharing of sex toys with an infected person. It is the most commonly diagnosed STD in the UK, especially amongst sexually active teens and young adults, though, due to it being often symptomless people tend not to get checked as much as necessary.  It is highly recommended, therefore, that anyone who falls into these categories gets screened every year or when changing sexual partners.

Chlamydia is caused by a bacterium called chlamydia trachomatis which is passed on from person to person via infected fluids, including semen or vaginal fluid. Once passed on, it lives within the vagina, penis and/or rectum and as such, it can be easily shared through unprotected sex without a condom or through the sharing of sex toys with a person carrying the infection. In some cases, it can be spread by the genitals simply coming into contact with an infected partner’s genitals, without penetration or ejaculation being necessary, or infected fluid getting into the eye.

More than half of women with chlamydia will experience no symptoms making it even more crucial to get regular testing if you have different partners or unprotected sex. If symptoms occur, they will often begin within a 21 day window of contact with the infected person and can include:

• milky or yellow vaginal discharge

• pain during urination

• discomfort in the stomach and/or pelvic area

• pain and/or bleeding during or after sex

• nausea

• fever

• spotting between periods

Nearly 50% of men carrying it will not experience symptoms either, but if they do they will usually show anywhere between 1 and 3 weeks from the initial infection. They can include:

• discharge from the penis

• burning during urination

• pain within or around the testicles

• a throat infection

• conjunctivitis

• pain, discharge or bleeding of the rectum

Symptoms can disappear on their own but this does not mean the infection has gone. So if you experience any unusual changes after having unprotected sex, it is vital you get tested.

If left untreated, chlamydia can cause a host of unpleasant, longterm and even life-altering issues for both men and women. 

In women, untreated chlamydia can cause:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease, a serious condition which occurs when the bacteria spread to the womb.  It can result in infertility and ectopic pregnancies, early miscarriages and premature births as well as deep pelvic pain.
• Cervicitis which causes the cervix to develop cysts and become enlarged leading to back and pelvic pain as well as excessive discharge. 
• Salpingitis, a blockage of the fallopian tube which stops the fertilised egg’s passage into the womb resulting in it becoming stuck in the fallopian tube, causing an ectopic pregnancy. 
• Chlamydia can be passed on to a baby during childbirth which can result in the baby developing an eye infection or pneumonia.
• Bartholinitis, a painful condition which results in the mucus-secreting glands in the vagina to become infected and/or blocked causing abscesses and cysts to develop.

In men, untreated chlamydia can result in:

• inflammation of the rectum and/or testicles
• an infection of the urethra, resulting in kidney damage
• swelling of the tube which stores and transports semen leading to infertility and/or abscesses
• reactive arthritis which is joint pain and swelling triggered by an infection elsewhere within the body, usually affecting the knees, hips, ankles, toes and feet. The inflammation can also affect your eyes or skin.

Whether male or female, and whether you are experiencing active symptoms or not; if you have had unprotected sex or changed sexual partners, it is vital for your short and longterm health to get screened. It is simple to do and available from your GP, local sexual health clinic and it is even possible to do online.

Treating Chlamydia is very simple so there is no reason to be concerned if you have tested positive for it.  As such, the first step is to get screened either by your GP or local sexual health clinic. You can also order a test kit online and perform it at home if you feel more comfortable doing this. The test is simple and requires you to insert a swab into your urethra to check if your fluids are carrying the bacteria. 

If you test positive, your doctor or pharmacist will recommend you take an antibiotic, usually given as a 100mg dose to be taken twice a day or else as a one-off treatment. It is crucial to take the complete course to ensure you fully clear the infection. 

You can easily and discreetly purchase the chlamydia treatment online at Click Pharmacy once you have been tested positive for the infection. There is a quick questionnaire to complete so our doctors can assess the suitability of your treatment after which you can check out quickly and easily. You may prefer to book an appointment with one of Click Pharmacy's online doctors who can also offer advice as to which medication to purchase and supply you with a prescription. Your order will be sent to your home in discreet packaging the next working day if ordered before 3 pm.

The treatment time varies based on the medication you take, but usually, you will be given antibiotics which are to be taken for between 7 and 10 days.

Always read the patient information leaflet before starting your treatment.